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Gary Fineout's must-read briefing on what's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good Tuesday morning. Long journey — Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan — who was first elected to Congress back in 2006 — embarked on a quest 15 months ago to win the coveted chairmanship of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Helped by DeSantis — Along the way, the Sarasota Republican raised millions of dollars to get fellow Republicans elected to the House. Florida’s supposed GOP clout also increased when Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through a redistricting plan that expanded the GOP's margin within the state’s congressional delegation. That plan wound up netting Republicans four seats — a crucial factor in helping Rep. Kevin McCarthy become House speaker in a narrowly won chamber. Rival moves on — Another key moment occurred in late 2021, when Rep. Devin Nunes stepped down from Congress. Nunes had been seen as the top Republican contender for the tax-writing post. Momentum — Given his seniority, Buchanan was seen in many corners as the frontrunner for the chairmanship — arguably the most significant House post held by a Floridian since the late Rep. Claude Pepper led of the House Rules Committee in the ‘80s. Buchanan also picked up support from nearly every fellow Florida Republican. Loses out — But the House GOP Steering Committee — which picked up a third vote from Florida with the last-minute addition of Rep. Byron Donalds — in its closed door meeting on Monday ultimately decided to pick Missouri Rep. Jason Smith. The vote, which has been delayed for weeks due to McCarthy’s battle to become speaker, is expected to be ratified by the full GOP conference. Contrasts — Buchanan had stressed that he would push a “pro-growth” agenda that would call for lowering taxes and stepping up oversight into the IRS. Washington’s Roll Call said that Smith was a self-proclaimed “firebrand” whose agenda includes reconsidering tax breaks for “woke corporations.” Thanks for nothing — Buchanan, while congratulating Smith, lamented Florida’s lack of clout in the House. “This is a big loss for Florida which hasn’t had a committee chairman in five years despite being the fastest growing state with the second largest Republican delegation in the House. Florida deserves a seat at the leadership table.” — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will be in Bonita Springs where is scheduled to hold a news conference with Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton and Chief Resilience Officer Wes Brooks. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | GONE — Florida Democratic Party chair quits after disastrous midterms, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout and Matt Dixon: Manny Diaz, the former Miami mayor who had pledged to rebuild the Florida Democratic Party after years of losses, abruptly announced his immediate resignation as party chair on Monday amid growing calls for his ouster. Diaz’s departure came after Florida Democrats suffering some of their worst losses ever, including the reelection of Gov. Ron DeSantis by 19 points over Charlie Crist, the election of a supermajority in the Florida Legislature and the flipping of several counties including once-reliable blue Miami-Dade County. What comes next? — “I do not care about the ideology of the next chair,” said former state Rep. Sean Shaw, whose name has been mentioned as a possible contender. “I care about their ability to register voters and run the actual operation of the Florida Democratic Party competently. Everything else comes after that.“ Considering it — Among the possible contenders for the job is former state Sen. Annette Taddeo, who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. María Elvira Salazar last fall and also ran for governor. Taddeo said on Twitter late Monday: “I am humbled by the overwhelming number of calls I’ve received in recent days, and as I always do, I will consult with leaders across the state, especially our grassroots, as I consider any future opportunities.” Also in the mix — Jeremy Matlow, a progressive city commissioner in Tallahassee who just won reelection, announced late Monday that he was going to run for Diaz’s job. ‘NO DIFFERENT THAN I’VE ALWAYS BEEN’ — Rick Scott’s no-regrets tour, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: He’s steamrolling into the next election cycle, firmly fixed on his own reelection in 2024 and all but openly daring anyone from either party to challenge him — while not entirely ruling out a possible future run for Senate GOP leader or a White House bid. He’s dropping $1.1 million on a new television ad running nationally on Fox News until Jan. 19 that acknowledges his unsuccessful challenge of McConnell. Last week, he embarked on a statewide tour where he’s rolling out a legislative agenda that he plans to pursue in Congress despite Democratic control of the Senate. | 
Sen. Rick Scott walks outside a meeting on Senate Republican leadership elections on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 16, 2022. | Patrick Semansky/AP Photo | STILL HERE — Digital ad digest: DeSantis off to an early start on advertising, by POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro: The beginning of an off-year is generally a quiet time even for the most prolific small-dollar fundraisers, who usually scale back their digital ad program. The notable exception? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The potential 2024 presidential candidate is the lone politician who spent at least five figures on advertising on Meta’s platform over the last week, with his state campaign spending just over $14,500 on ads across Facebook and Instagram. FALLOUT — “Judge orders former Florida legislator’s property seized to pay campaign, legal debts,” by Miami Herald’s Raisa Habersham: “A Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge has ordered Miami-Dade police to seize items in a former Florida state senator’s home to pay back more than $26,000 owed to her former campaign manager. Judge Jose Rodriguez ordered the Miami-Dade Police Department to enter Daphne Campbell’s NW 132nd Street home in North Miami and remove and take inventory of her personal property and other assets to ‘be applied towards the satisfaction of the outstanding judgment,’ according to a post-judgment order issued Dec. 14.
| | DATELINE D.C. | | FRIENDS LIKE THESE — “Gaetz earns most-hated status in GOP even as he gains House sway,” by Bloomberg’s Laura Davison and Billy House: “While he pegged Kevin McCarthy as “the biggest alligator in the swamp” and the “masthead of the lobbying corps” whose bid for House speaker was an “exercise in vanity,” [Rep. Matt] Gaetz’s fellow Republicans want the Florida lawmaker to know they think he’s a ‘D-lister’ and a ‘narcissist.’” MISSOURI > FLORIDA — “Rep. Jason Smith wins three-way contest for Ways and Means gavel,” by Roll Call’s Laura Weiss COMING ATTRACTIONS — “GOP’s ‘weaponization’ panel would have power to review those probing Trump,” by The Hill’s Rebecca Beitsch: “The GOP is preparing to hammer agencies reviewing the conduct of former President Trump with a new select subcommittee poised to focus on the ‘weaponization’ of the federal government. The panel is being drawn up to take aim at ongoing investigations at the Department of Justice and the FBI on Trump, including the taking of classified documents to Mar-a-Lago and the former president’s conduct leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.” — “Jared Moskowitz becomes a vice chair of congressional gun violence prevention task force,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Anthony Man
| | DESANTISLAND | | FLORIDA V. USA — DeSantis’ lawsuit against Biden over immigration opens in Florida, by POLITICO’s Hannah Farrow: Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden’s long-running fight over immigration moved on Monday from a battle of rhetoric to one of testimony and legal arguments. A federal judge in Pensacola heard opening arguments in DeSantis’ lawsuit against Biden, which claims the White House is neglecting current immigration policy. REACTION — “New College students say DeSantis’ board appointments go against Sarasota school’s values,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Steven Walker: “Several students said they would not have enrolled at New College if it were branded as another Hillsdale College, a small Christian private college in Michigan that has been active in conservative education politics. Nayelis Cardenas, a 21-year-old biology major, said she chose to attend the college because of its welcoming environment for women in STEM. She said the changes new board members such as [Christopher] Rufo could make might not align with what she said New College and its student body stand for.” AND THERE’S THIS — “Notable alum protests New College of Florida takeover,” by Axios’ Ben Montgomery: “Derek Black, who was heir apparent to lead the country's white nationalist movement until transformational experiences at New College enlightened him, bashed the move on Twitter yesterday as news of the takeover spread through the small school's students, faculty and alumni. ‘They are trying to undo the small progress making New College a better home for its community,’ Black tweeted yesterday.” — “Reedy Creek firefighters back plan for state control of Disney district,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Katie Rice
| | | | JOIN NEXT TUESDAY TO HEAR FROM MAYORS AROUND AMERICA: 2022 brought in a new class of mayors leading “majority minority” cities, reshaping who is at the nation’s power tables and what their priorities are. Join POLITICO to hear from local leaders on how they’re responding to being tested by unequal Covid-19 outcomes, upticks in hate crimes, homelessness, lack of affordable housing, inflation and a potential recession. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | UNDERWAY — “Witness calls Florida college surveys about diversity ‘highly problematic’ with ‘chilling effect’ on classroom speech,” by News Service of Florida’s Ryan Dailey: “A federal judge on Monday began hearing testimony in a trial over the constitutionality of a 2021 state law requiring colleges and universities to survey students and staff members about ‘intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity’ on campus.The plaintiffs, including the United Faculty of Florida union and individual teachers and students, are challenging three parts of the law (HB 233). The first day of the trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker focused heavily on a requirement that colleges and universities conduct the surveys.” ROUND 2 — “A judge is poised to consider a lawsuit against DeSantis migrant flights,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders: “A Leon County circuit judge will hear arguments Friday about whether he should toss out a lawsuit filed by a South Florida state senator after Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration flew about 50 migrants from Texas to Massachusetts in September. Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-North Miami Beach, contends in the lawsuit that part of the state budget used to pay for the flights violates the Florida Constitution and that the DeSantis administration improperly infringed on the federal government’s authority over immigration issues.” — “New NIL bill would ‘even the playing field’ for Florida’s college athletes,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Matt Murschel — “Federal judge revives suit over Florida transgender female athlete law,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? — “Brazil’s Bolsonaro out of Central Florida hospital as calls mount for his expulsion,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher: “The White House is facing mounting pressure to expel former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro from Florida after supporters of the right-wing leader stormed and trashed government buildings in his home country this past weekend. Bolsonaro is staying in a rental home near Disney World as tensions boil over in Brazil from his recent election defeat.” — “Bolsonaro super fans wait, and wait, and wait to catch a glimpse of him in Florida,” by POLITICO’s Anna Wilder — “As Brazil reels from riots, Bolsonaro finds home in Florida,” by The Associated Press’ Mike Schneider and Matt Sedensky — “How Miami got an undeserved central role in Brazil riots, accusations against former leader,” by El Nuevo Herald’s Nora Gámez Torres | 
A Brazilian woman vacationing in Florida waits outside the house where Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro has been staying, in hopes of delivering flowers to his wife, Jan. 9, 2023, in Reunion, Fla. | Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo |
TO COURT — “Rod Velez sues in bid to get Broward School Board seat he won,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Scott Travis: “Rod Velez has filed a lawsuit to try to get back a School Board seat that Gov. Ron DeSantis filled the same day he had hoped to be sworn in. In a suit filed Monday in Broward County Circuit Court, Velez is challenging both DeSantis and Daniel Foganholi, who the governor appointed on Dec. 22, minutes after declaring the seat vacant.”
IN PLACE — “Lapointe sworn in as first Haitian-American to serve as U.S. attorney in South Florida,” by Miami Herald’s Jay Weaver: “Markenzy Lapointe was sworn in Monday as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, making him the first Haitian-American lawyer to serve in the region’s top federal law enforcement job. U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga called Lapointe’s nomination 'historic' in a small private ceremony in her courtroom attended by family, friends and colleagues.” — “Federal judge orders Dorworth’s River Cross company to pay Seminole $432K in legal fees,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Martin E. Comas — “Dogs running the streets thanks to county pet shelter’s policy on strays, critics say,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Susannah Bryan — “TSA finds 4-foot ‘emotional support’ boa constrictor in woman’s carry-on at Tampa airport,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Matt Cohen — “COVID hospitalizations rise 33% in Central Florida amid new variant, foreign spread,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Caroline Catherman | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “Ex-North Carolina Rep. Cawthorn says he’s moved to Florida,” by The Associated Press: “Last Friday, as votes to choose a new House speaker continued, [Madison] Cawthorn confirmed a move while supporting Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., for the job, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported. Donalds’ district includes Cape Coral. ‘There are many reasons I moved to Florida,’ Cawthorn wrote on Instagram. ‘One of the big contributing factors is that I know Byron Donalds is a leader in this state. That means this state will always be on offense to safeguard our future. Byron for Speaker.’” BIRTHDAYS: Jared Kushner ... state Rep. James Buchanan ... Department of the Treasury’s Morgan Finkelstein | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |  |
